from classroom to community: actes trust's climate impact highlighted

08/05/2026

A major independent evaluation of the Climate Action Middlesbrough (CAM) programme has highlighted the significant contribution of Actes Trust, placing us at the heart of local efforts to tackle climate change through community and youth engagement. Delivered over five years and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, Climate Action Middlesbrough brought together partners across the town to reduce carbon emissions and encourage more sustainable lifestyles. The newly published evaluation, carried out by researchers from Teesside University, confirms that we played an important role in supporting the project’s success, particularly through its work with young people, schools, and communities.

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Inspiring the next generation

One of the report’s strongest findings is the scale and impact of our work with children and young people. Through the development of Climate Action Clubs and practical learning activities, the project engaged more than 7,000 young people - more than double its original target.

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Across schools in Middlesbrough, we supported young people to take part in hands-on environmental projects including gardening, recycling initiatives, creative workshops and climate awareness sessions. These activities not only increased understanding of environmental issues but also encouraged lasting changes in attitudes and behaviour. Staff involved in the programme described this work as “one of the biggest and most rewarding elements of the project”, with young people demonstrating strong enthusiasm and a growing commitment to protecting the environment.

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From classrooms to communities

The evaluation highlights how we successfully extended the project's impact beyond schools, helping young people bring climate action into their homes and communities.

Children involved in the project were reported to be:

• Encouraging families to grow their own food

• Reducing waste and recycling more at home

• Sharing knowledge about sustainability with peers and relatives

This ripple effect demonstrates how our approach has not only raised awareness but also helped embed more sustainable behaviours across the wider community.

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Creative approaches to climate action

In addition to our work in schools, we co‑curated one of the project’s most high-profile public initiatives: the “Our Place in the Family of Things” exhibition at the Dorman Museum. The exhibition attracted over 19,000 visitors and brought together art, community voices and environmental themes to explore people’s relationship with the natural world. Featuring contributions from schools, community groups and local residents, it provided an inclusive platform for expressing climate concerns and hopes for the future. The evaluation highlights the exhibition as a powerful example of how creative engagement can inspire reflection, conversation and action on environmental issues.

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Reaching those most in need

A key strength of our work was our ability to engage diverse and underrepresented communities, including refugees, asylum seekers, young people with special educational needs and families experiencing poverty. Through accessible and inclusive activities, we helped ensure that climate action was not just the preserve of established environmental groups, but something that everyone in the community could be part of. Participants reported a range of wider benefits, including improved wellbeing, increased confidence and a stronger sense of belonging - showing the value of linking environmental action with social impact.

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A Lasting Impact

The evaluation highlights the lasting impact that we have had through our work on Climate Action Middlesbrough - particularly in inspiring young people and strengthening community engagement around sustainability.​ By combining education, creativity and community engagement, we demonstrated how local organisations can play a vital role in addressing global challenges - starting from the classroom and reaching far beyond.

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The full evaluation report can be downloaded here: